Cuomo said the companies — certified by the state as minority- or women-owned business enterprises — now get about 21 percent of state contracts, worth nearly $1.5 billion. Cuomo had set a 20 percent goal two years ago, when those businesses were getting less than 10 percent of state contracts.

"Achieving the goal of 20 percent, which is significant, is just the beginning. We remain committed to continuing MWBE growth in this state," Cuomo said.

The number of companies certified by the state as being owned by minorities or women has skyrocketed during the Cuomo administration. Some 2,100 of them have been certified since January 2011 by the state Division of Minority and Women's Business Development, according to the governor's office. In 2012, the state made it possible for companies to apply online for certification.

The state also put up money in 2012 to help those businesses obtain surety bonds, a type of financing meant to ensure that construction projects will be completed if the original contractor cannot perform the work. Since then, the businesses have secured $40 million in bonds.